Good morning…
Since 2006, God has organically grown my spiritual gifts in the rich soil of Northside Church. I have seen many staff members come and many go, but one person I have seen stay, grow, and flourish is Dr. James Johnson, our Director of Adult Discipleship. During this period of pandemic, our church has begun sharing online devotionals, written by different staff members on different days. The morning message James shared with us yesterday sparked emotions I really need to feel. With his permission, I share his words with you now.
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Northside Church Devotional for June 3rd, 2020 by Dr. James Johnson
I want to say something. I want to say a lot of things. Responses and scriptures overflow my mind, just as fear and rage threaten to flood my heart. And I find this torrent of emotional and mental activity is met with a bevy of outlets, places I can speak openly, and I have no trouble giving it form and expression.
I want to say something. And I will, I’m sure. But not yet.
Right now, especially now, I need to be silent and just listen – and not with passive ears or a mind preoccupied with how I will respond. I need to practice active silence.
Active silence is stepping to the back of the line and creating space and opportunity for others to speak, especially those who don’t look like me or experience life as I do – those voices that I don’t normally hear.
And so, Northside Church, I invite you to join me in hearing the words of an African American pastor and brother in the faith, Dr. D.J. Coleman. He was classmate of mine at Emory, and his brief, yet compelling, response the day after George Floyd’s murder both challenges and encourages reflection:
Again. Another day of mourning. As yet another video of the unjust murder of a black life circulates online, I am overwhelmed with many feelings. In that video, a police officer is shown with his knee on a black man’s neck, but there are also others present: three other police officers and bystanders – both pleading and silent. I reflected on who I most identified with in that video; what would I have done?
As a theologian, I can’t help but think about the unjust murder of Jesus. I wonder if Jesus’ murder had been recorded and available for me to watch, how would it make me feel? Who would I be in that video? Am I the Roman soldier who nailed Jesus to the cross? Am I the police officer with his knee on George Floyd’s neck? Am I Mary watching my son die? Am I Floyd crying out for mama? Am I a helpless and scared disciple? Am I a helpless bystander pleading with the police to relent? Am I recording a narrative of Jesus’ death? Am I the person holding the camera? What do I make of these unjust deaths?
The death of Jesus has surely directed my life. George Floyd is not Jesus, but perhaps his death can help direct me, direct us – our nation – as we work toward creating a more just society. Will his legacy be a hashtag and a horrific video that sparked outrage on social media? Or will his unjust death motivate us to stand up for the oppressed?
Do we hear these words, Northside? Do we know the answer to these questions for ourselves and our church?
Let’s sit with them awhile – and continue to listen.
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He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth (Isaiah 53:7, NLT).
…Sue…
